Saradha scam: ED seizes Rs.140 cr props

Women being removed by security guards at a protest held by groups affiliated to the Left parties against the State government in connection with the multi-crore Saradha scam, in front of the Assembly in Kolkata on December 12, 2013. Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

The Hindu

Saradha Group CMD Sudipta Sen coming out of the office of the Shyamal Sen Commission of Enquiry where he deposed in regard to the multi-crore Saradha scam, in Kolkata on March 04, 2014.
Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

Widening its probe into the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam, the Enforcement Directorate has issued summons to numerous entities even as it has attached assets worth Rs. 140 crore of individuals and firms on money laundering charges.

The central probe agency has also issued a notice asking general public “to furnish information and particulars of properties, both movable and immovable as well as bank accounts, in the state of West Bengal and other places, if any, related to Saradha group known to them, with specific details” to it.

The agency’s zonal office in Kolkata has recently issued summons to 15 people involved in the funds transactions of the scam that was being perpetrated largely in West Bengal, Odisha and Assam and came to the fore early last year after duped investors raised their voice of grievance.

The agency has asked those involved in the case, including some sitting and former MPs and their family members, to present themselves or send their authorised representatives for recording of their statements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) before April 25, 2014.

The notices come in the backdrop of the agency, last week, attaching Rs. 105.62 crore assets of various entities involved in the case including Saradha Director Sudipta Sen and his wife Piyali. It had attached Rs. 34 crore worth of assets earlier in the same probe.

ED registered a money laundering case last year taking cognisance of the three state police departments.

The agency has till now issued attachment orders on all equity shares of all 224 companies of the Saradha group, insurance policies in the name of Sen and his wife, numerous land properties and plots, 390 bank accounts and equity shares of a TV channel run by the beleaguered group.